Spring election not such a great idea, many residents say

If the federal budget isn’t passed, an election may unavoidable and many area residents say going to the polls now isn’t a good idea for Canada.

The Ottawa Citizen, and other national media, reported about the possibility of a federal election late last week. The speculation surrounds pending federal budget and the non-confidence vote that could follow it.  

NDP Leader Jack Layton and Prime Minister Stephen Harper did speak about possible revisions to the budget on Friday, which does make a spring election less likely.

"The Prime Minister offered no assurances, but I am confident that my proposals were received and well understood," Layton said in a statement on his website.

But residents who spoke with tbnewswatch.com on Saturday said they thought talks between Layton and Harper wouldn’t amount to much and an election could still happen.

Germaine Kangas said she didn’t want an election and said she believed it would cost Canadians too much.

"I think it costs way too much money to have an election," Kangas said. "Why do we have to have one now? I read in the news yesterday that the NDP leader said it was in Harper’s court. I don’t know what that means because I don’t think he has much clout."

Meanwhile, Amanda Benincasa said she would be more favourable toward the idea of a spring election if it resulted in some change.

"I don’t think it is going to result in anything different than what we have already, it’s just going to cost our country a lot of money," Benincasa said. "We thought an election would be a good idea last time and we ended up with the same result and money spent that otherwise didn’t need to be spent.

“Unless we get different party leaders representing the two main parties we’re not going to see change."

But Sharon Charnesky said she had faith that Layton would come through and not force a non-confidence vote. Harper wouldn’t likely be able to create a majority on his own, but with the help of the NDP that could be more plausible, she said.

"(Layton) has to realize what Canadians feel about money," Charnesky said. "It’s the cost of the actual election that is going to deter anyone from calling one. But if Ignatieff calls (an election) he’s done. He`ll never win. Never win."